Thursday, February 21, 2008

After a Rest, the Disappointment Continues

Much like David Steckel, I fell victim to the nasty flu bug over the past several days. I mustered just enough energy to watch the Capitals do their best Boston Bruins impression, though the Caps were far less efficient in blowing their two goal lead (and LOST the shootout.) Not to mention Olie Kolzig gave up his two goals on only 19 shots, while the B's Tim Thomas faced 45. In other words, Carolina actually deserved their goals. The Isles...not so much.

Hockey pundits have always called a two goal advantage the "worst lead in hockey" for reasons beyond my understanding. I know the idea is that the team with the two goal lead tends to move away from the gameplan that earned them that lead, but you can't tie a game when you're behind by two. This isn't basketball...or football...or baseball. But heck, maybe they're onto something. We've seen the Capitals erase plenty of two goal deficits in their successful run under Bruce Boudreau. Carolina just did it against Boston to eek out a point. And New York just pilfered a pair in Washington.

Just one game earlier, Tampa Bay scored twice late in the third period a mere 33 seconds apart to tie the Capitals at two. Fortunately for Washington, they got an even later goal by Alexander Semin to win them the game. And it was Semin who got the night off to a promising start against the Islanders.

Matt Pettinger, who made a few very nice passes in the early going (only to miss out on a few great setup opportunities throughout the rest of the game,) found Semin streaking up the middle all by his lonesome. Semin, unlike in his ensuing shootout attempt, beat Rick DiPietro with a slick move to his backhand. 

While Alexander Semin increased his scoring streak to three games, Alex Ovechkin's scoreless streak reached the same length, matching the second longest such stretch in his career. (His career long is a four gamer back in February of 2007.) A stomach flu has been blamed for his scoreless weekend in Florida, but what is to blame for his one shot effort on this night? The fact that 10 shots were either blocked or missed the target? That's part of it. I think the bigger reason is the Ovechkin-Nicklas Backstrom-Tomas Fleischmann experiment has flopped.

Ovechkin's game low -2 rating provides evidence. His linemates' -1 ratings provide a bit more. And most telling, since the line was formed against Florida three games ago, Ovechkin is a -5 and Backstrom and Fleischmann are each a -4. Not quite the numbers you're looking for from your top line.

So what exactly does this loss mean for Washington? Well, they're not losing ground in the Southeast Division so it could be worse. But they're not gaining ground in winnable games either. With the playoffs on the not so distant horizon, that's definitely not a good thing. 

With the trade deadline looming just five days away, the Capitals have the opportunity to make some key moves. And they should. Brian Pothier isn't coming back any time soon. Neither is Chris Clark or Michael Nylander. Eric Fehr hasn't worked out. Who's left?

Bruce Boudreau, better than anyone it would seem, knows what's available for the taking in Hershey. He must not be overly impressed. Quintin Laing is the only guy who has been recalled under Boudreau who has made any sort of impact. The other callups? Well, Fehr's not ready and Sami Lepisto was an injury promotion. With the Capitals owners of prospects and draft picks galore, the assets are here with which to lure the best of the best available commodities.

The confidence the Capitals have gained over the past few months has to be a bit precarious at this point. Much of this roster has no idea just how taxing a playoff push is. It's tough on both mind and body and the Capitals seem to be tiring in both these aspects right now.

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